Among the buildings on the list of state-owned properties the Jindal administration is planning to sell to help balance next year’s budget is Baton Rouge’s so-called oldest skyscraper—the 12-story State Office Building at 150 N. Third Street, at the corner of Convention Street. DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer says he couldn’t be happier about it. The art deco—era building, which was built in 1926, is an architectural gem with potential for redevelopment into condos or a hotel, he says. “It’s got beautiful windows and murals in the board room,” says Rhorer. “People do not realize what an asset it is.” Last week, Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols told a legislative committee the state is planning to sell $47 million worth of surplus properties to help make up for an $800 million revenue shortfall that is largely the result of cuts to the health care system. The state has budgeted $10 million for the building, though it is not at all certain the property would fetch that much. The State Office Building is the latest of several downtown buildings to either go on the market or change hands. As Daily Report reported last week, the Capital One Building went under contract earlier this month. Last fall, a group of investors from New Orleans acquired the Commerce Building. —Stephanie Riegel
Editor’s note: This story has been changed since its original publication to correct the location of the State Office Building.
